10/08/12 ema

HAYS, Kan. -- Semester or year-long study-abroad experiences are available in areas all over the world for Fort Hays State University students, who can live in a new culture and country while working toward their degrees.

One of the biggest and newest trips offered is to Beijing, China.

Justin Evans, instructor of management and marketing and international coordinator for the College of Business and Entrepreneurship, is leading the trip to Beijing in July 2013.

In July of this year, Evans offered a new Chinese business course and trip for the first time.

"This trip was a fantastic opportunity for students to learn firsthand about the world's most populous country and fastest growing major economy," said Evans. "Experience is a wonderful teacher and the students learned a great deal about China and its business environment by meeting with business executives and seeing the many cultural sites."

Cultural outings will include visits to the Great Wall of China, the Ming Tombs and the Forbidden City, among others. Students will visit businesses such as Sinotrust, one of the largest Chinese marketing firms, and Royal Dutch Shell, one of the world's largest companies.

"The 2012 trip to Beijing was a fascinating opportunity to visit, explore and learn a new country and culture, literally on the other side of the world," said Brandi Obermueller, Lincoln senior. "There were so many different things we did and saw that are purely indescribable. I'm so grateful for this opportunity and will forever treasure this trip."

Carri Brobst, Logan senior, also went to Beijing. She said visiting another culture taught her things she could never have learned through a book. "Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity that everyone should take advantage of at least once," she said.

"American students who develop an understanding of China and the immense opportunities that it presents American businesses will have a substantial advantage throughout their careers," said Dr. Mark Bannister, dean of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship. "I am very excited that FHSU can provide students with the unique opportunity to study about Chinese businesses and then to actually visit China to learn more."

For more information contact, justinevans@fhsu.edu.

Several other trips are also already being planned.

Vince Bowhay, assistant director of the Memorial Union, and Shana Meyer, assistant vice president for student affairs, will lead an intense 10-day journey to London, Paris, Rome and Florence.

"The goal is to examine the roots of secret societies by journeying to the cities where they began," said Meyer. "Through this experiential learning, students will gain personal insights into what it means to be a member of a society, but also the role these organizations played in forming modern-day American beliefs."

The trip is from Saturday, May 18, to Monday, May 27, with an optional two-day extension. The cost for students is $3,457, and $3,667 for adults ages 30 and up. For more information, visit http://www.efcollegestudytours.com/preview-tour.aspx?gt=1174928.

The Department of Modern Languages is offering a spring break and study abroad program to Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, in Portugal and Spain. It is a journey of major historical and cultural significance and has many trails that have more than a thousand years of history.

Participants will embark upon a backpacking journey from Portugal to Spain to gain a unique and authentic experience of Europe.

Participants are only responsible for airfare and meals. Room, tuition and travel expenses are included with the cost of the trip.

For more information, contact Maxim Maximov, instructor of modern languages at 785-628-4244 or email mlmaximov@fhsu.edu.

Also over spring break 2013, the Department of Art and Design will sponsor a trip to Spain. Students are invited to discover the varied cultures of Spain on an adventure that begins in Madrid. Participants will visit the Royal Palace, Toledo's Cathedral and Barcelona, among other places.

The cost of the trip is about $3,000, including airfare, transportation, lodging and some meals.

For information, visit www.efcollegestudytours.com/1241201 or email Charmion Arthur, instructor of art and design, at carthur@fhsu.edu.

For the past eight years, Sias International University in Xinzheng, China, and FHSU have offered undergraduate FHSU students an opportunity to study at Sias for one month during FHSU's summer session, usually in July.

Courses include Chinese language, history and culture, art, dance, music and many others. All Chinese cultural-related courses and major subjects are offered in English.

Students are selected after completion of an application and interview. Airfare, tuition, room and board are provided. Students must have a minimum 2.75 grade point average at the time of application.

For information, contact Carol Solko-Olliff, director of international student services, at 785-628-4276 or csolko@fhsu.edu.

Dr. Connie Eigenmann, associate professor of communication studies, and Dr. Cynthia Garrety, Learning Commons coordinator, will oversee a trip to East Africa in July. The trip will cost about $9,000.

"We are planning to visit five African countries -- Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya," said Eigenmann. "We will stop in Istanbul, Turkey, before entering Africa."

Eigenmann who joined the FHSU faculty in 2008, is familiar with Muslim cultures and that area of the world. Her research area is developing countries' usage of the Internet and cell phones.

For information, contact cmgarrety@mail.fhsu.edu or cseigenmannmalik@fhsu.edu.

The FHSU Science and Mathematics Education Institute will sponsor a trip to Italy in May 2013 to experience the sights and history of Venice, Florence and other cities where inspirational intellectuals such as Galileo, Leonardo and Fermi once lived.

Cost for the trip is $4,147 for students and $4,387 for non-students.

For information, visit http://www.efcollegestudytours.com/preview-tour.aspx?gt=1237833.

The Department of Modern Languages is also sponsoring a four-week study and travel program from Saturday, June 1, to Monday, July 1, at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. Students will study the language and culture and participate in numerous excursions to nearby cultural sites and cities such as Cologne, Bonn and Amsterdam.

Full-time FHSU students can apply for this trip. Participants do not have to pay for course tuition for five or six credit hours transferable to FHSU, a single room with a bathroom and all excursions and travel fees within the Essen region. Students only pay for airfare and meals.

The trip is open to all majors; previous knowledge of German is not required. Regulations restrict participation to individuals 18 years or older. Scholarships may be available to eligible participants.

All slots have been filled for the 2013 study abroad program in Germany.

Guatemala will be the first international destination for a trip sponsored by Tigers In Service and the Global Leadership Project. Nine students selected through an interview process will serve those in need with the Cross-Cultural Solutions organization during an alternative spring break from Saturday, March 16, to Saturday March 23.

Participants were selected from interviews scheduled for Sept. 24-28. The application process closed Sept. 14.